I don't like having to floor it to downshift. And, the cruise control isn't functional on most of these cars. So, I repurposed it to be a paddle shifter to downshift.

the purist might lose their minds however I like the idea...

What an interetsing idea... how'd you do it?

It's as easy as it says in the opening post!! So, simple you might make it out harder than it actually is. The kickdown switch under the accelerator pedal kicks down the transmission one gear when there is power given to the left plug in the socket as shown. Just jump a wire from the blue wire in the cruise control harness. You have to cut the rubber hose that covers all of the wires and find that blue wire. YOu'll note that when you pull back on the cruise control lever, it give 12v into the blue wire. So, just connect a jumper wire from the blue wire over to the left post in the socket and that 12v will go down to the kickdown switch when you pull the CC lever (paddle) back.

That's pretty cool, and a great idea. You're right about the cruise control, but a lot of kickdown switches are non-functional as well these days. I might actually do this, but I deleted my cruise control lever years ago...

That's a good idea. I have to get my kick down switch working first before I can do this. I think the problem might be in the Klima relay.

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1990 300d 2.5 turbo
1995 E300d

Oops sorry! When I originally saw your post, those images didn't load. I see now. Thanks for explaining it! Clever idea.

I dunno, when I want to kick down I just put the shift lever into the second position. But then you need to remember to put it back. I've forgotten that once or twice and then discovered I was revving to nearly 5000 rpm (yikes).

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1986 300SDL, 362K
1984 300D, 138K

Frankly besides the purist perspective to at least keep the nicer cars running as designed, I’d want to limit how often I forced a downshift under load, if I cared at all about drivetrain longevity.

Diesel is more expensive than gasoline, and these cars don’t get great fuel economy by modern standards. If the throttle response is that much of an issue, another vehicle may be a better option.

It’s a neat concept, don’t get me wrong, but these cars are getting old, as while robust, should be driven to protect the more fragile parts of the drivetrain, specifically the AT, IMO.

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Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)